Saturday, 11 October 2008

A journey to Ethereal

It has been so long since I actually sat down and spent some time writing a post about my wanders. Mainly due to the bad weather we have had here in England this year (rain, rain and more rain), but also because I have been crazy busy, feeling the blues and frustratingly single...lol! However, I have decided to do just that this weekend.

I’m going to have to turn the clocks back a couple of weeks. The Saturday was very foggy in the morning, but the sun managed to break through around 11am. I checked the weather forecast and it looked like Sunday was going to be the same. So I dusted off my camera, recharged the batteries, brushed off my boots and set my alarm for an unearthly hour.

Sunday morning soon arrived; I was sound asleep when the alarm began to reverberate around the room. I reached out from under my lovely warm duvet, switched it off and curled into a ball to savour five more precious minutes in the warmth and comfort of my bed. Eventually, I pulled off the duvet and ran into the bathroom to grab a hot shower. Still almost asleep, I climbed into my trousers, pull on my hiking socks and shirt, supped a cup of tea and munched my way through a slice of toast & marmalade.

Peering out of the window revealed a solid wall of fog. Perfect!!! I grabbed my camera and made my way to my car, switched on the ignition and was on my way.
Within fifteen minutes, I was climbing out of my car in Savernake Forest and taking that first really deep breath of crisp fresh air. The darkness was starting to lift and I set off on my hike. The further I wandered into the undergrowth the clearer the visibility became.
There is something so beautiful, so emotional, so intoxicating about being on your own in the middle of a misty forest in the early hours of the morning…

Everywhere I turned revealed the most inspiring views, every breath I took filled my lungs with the most exhilarating freshness. I always find that when you wander through a forest during the day you can hear the birds sing. However, when you wander during the earliest hours of the day, the noises are so different. The scurrying of the animals, the creeks of the branches, the rustling of the leaves are much more distinct. Knowing that there was nobody for miles around, just the wildlife and me, filled me with excitement, a true sense of well being and a total feeling humbleness.
I walked further and further into the depths of the forest, taking a muddy track here, a turning there, sometimes just wandering through the undergrowth. Occasionally I would stumble across a scene that would stop me in mid step. I have wandered through Savernake Forest thousands of times during my life, but never ever ever have I experienced it looking as mystical as I did on that misty morning.
After about an hour of weaving my way through the bracken, I began to realise that I was being followed. The shivers began to run down my spine, and my breathing became more erratic. I tried walking faster, but the noise in the undergrowth simply followed at the same pace. I stopped, and the rustling stopped. I took a few more steps and there it was again, the same rustling in the undergrowth. I turned and still I could see nothing…….
…. This continued for several minutes, until I turned and looked over my shoulder and my follower finally revealed herself. She was a small muntjac deer. Her nose twitched and she leapt back into the undergrowth. My breathing slowed down, but the excitement and awe grew bigger. Our little game of follow the leader continued for about twenty minutes. Each time I turned, she would stand there and we would look at each other, both with equal curiosity and respect, before she would leap back into the undergrowth again. At first I tried to grab my camera to capture a photograph of her, but I soon realised that this wasn’t meant to be. We reached a point where she would follow me no further; perhaps it was the boundary of her territory. I stopped and turned one more time, she stood there and we shared a final trusting glance, holding on to this rare encounter knowing that it was soon to finish. Finally she turned, leapt into the bushes and cantered off into the distance. Each step I took from that point on was a step with an enormous bounce. I was walking in the clouds of joy! Never in my life had I experienced such an encounter. Never in my life had I ever felt so close with the things around me…..
The sun was beginning to rise through the canopy of the trees casting beams of gold through to the track below. Occasionally, I would just sit on a tree stump and just savour the scenes around me. Closing my eyes, so I could listen to every single rustle and crack; breathing slower and deeper to absorb every aroma. Wishing that time would come to a halt, so that the moment would never end.
Soon midday came and it was time to head back to my car. The journey came to its end, but the memories of that morning will never fade. …….
I hope you enjoyed another walk with me through the magical and mystical Savernake Forest in the lovely county of Wiltshire in England.

Hi Graham!!! These pictures are the best you´ve ever posted! they´re brilliant! full of life and energy :D just like you.Everytime I see you´ve commented on my blog, I wonder what you´ve written, your words are always so kind and incredibly understanding. I thank you with all my heart :D

Oh Graham, I am moved to tears. I had hoped you would share this story on your blog. I cannot believe your soul, it is so beautiful and is expressed more than ever through these astounding photos and beautiful words.

Your heart is so alive. I'm so so so glad that you rose early and went into the woods. Like me, you find yourself there. And Life is amazing; like you said the wild things are very curious, especially when they KNOW they are around a gentle soul. I could feel your happy, joyous, bursting heart after seeing the deer. I am so glad you are alive enough to respond SOOOOOOOO openly and joyously.

What's so sad is that many wild creatures actually want to make contact, but we humans (as a collective) can be so crass and cruel. We don't see them as intelligent curious beings who can absolutely change, enrich and heal our lives. They can help us find ourselves again. The deepest part of ourselves, the gentle and humane part of ourselves.

This is one of the most beautiful things I've read and seen in a long time. You are truly a very gifted soul with a beautiful gentle spirit. You move through the world with an open and kind heart.

Like ANTO said:

"Everytime I see you´ve commented on my blog, I wonder what you´ve written, your words are always so kind and incredibly understanding. I thank you with all my heart."

I feel EXACTLY the same, Graham. I cherish your comments SO much. You can just feel your genuineness. Like I said, I am moved to tears. Thank from my heart for being such beauty and sharing such beauty. It means more than you know.

A huge hug my dear dear friend. Robin xx

PS I am so proud of you. Never let anyone dampen your spirit. You shine like this forest.

I left you a comment last night but it never showed up. I must have done something wrong.

I think you live in the most romantic place in the world. My nose and ears are jealous of my eyes when I look at the photos you take. I hope that someday you will take a video camera along with you for sound effects. I think if I lived there I would get up early, put coffee in a thermos and just sit and write stories.

This is like the land that time forgot. But i have to ask - are you the only one walking in those woods? I simply can't believe with that beautiful scenery there wouldn't be a whole bunch of people out there taking it in.

GrahamI hope you don't mind...I was inspired to write a series of haikus to go along with your photos. I have them numbered as to which picture inspired which haiku. As you probably already know, a haiku is a form of Japanese poetry, nature inspired and written in 3 lines of 5,7, and 5 syllables. Hope you enjoy! I will post a link to your blog when I post the haikus on my site but here they are for you! Thanks for the inspiration my dear.

#1She sings good morningRaising her voice through the treesSongs for the forest

These are so beautiful, they look like paintings. This is what makes struggling out of bed and the unearthly hours all worth while. A good breakfast of toast spread with marmalade and a cup of tea and you mind is in sync with your surrounds and your fingers are ready to click the most perfect shots.

Well, everyone just responded to your post with every emotion expressed, and I fear there are none left for me to reveal. You are fortunate to live in such a gorgeous place and have the opportunity to soak up nature's beauty and harmony. Tis the mornin' light that shines most beautiful, and I'll always believe that to be true.

Michelle, the forest is a special place... my imagination runs wild as I wander through the undergowth, gazing up through the canopy of the trees. It is truly the most wonderful place on earth!

Janet,I do hope I am not 'frustratingly single' for too much longer. Thank you for kind comment, and I hope you enjoyed wandering along with me through the post!

Muse, thanks my friend! I usually take a random route that goes way off the normal path. I occasionally pass a person or two walking their dog on the main route, but being way off in the depths of the forest, I rarely bump into anybody. Also, most sensible humans are still tucked up in bed when I am up to my neck in mud and ferns....lol!

Wanderingbtrfly, please let me know if you do get to Savernake Forest... I'll pop over and say hello!!! Thank you for your kind comment :)

Hey Zhu :) :) :) I use a canon 450D (I think it is called a Rebel Xsi in the US) and I also have a Canon G9. The photos on this post are from the Canon 450D. Thanks for your kind comment. I am sure that there are pixies and elves in the forest, and I am sure they watch me each time I wander by.

Meleah, Thank Youuuu!!!!!!!!! :D

Elizabeth, you should have come to Wiltshire..lol! I hope you put it on your list for next time ;)

Kimberly, thank you :))) When I have mornings like this one, I really do realise how fortunate I am. I want to make sure I can share the experience with as many people as I can.

You had such a good trip experience.By seeing all photos which you are having in your post I came to know worth of that place.Amazing place!I appreciate this sit.And we also provide this type of facility. Rajasthan Tour Packages

Thanks for adding me to your "Blogs I follow" list! I came by to see you and, whoa, I'm going to have to save reviewing your blog for when I have a large chunk of time and a mug of coffee! There's too much to see at a quick glance! Luscious is the word that comes to mind, perhaps because your blog just seems so rich with images and information.

I think you have all been eating some mushrooms from the forest floor!! I'm off to Savernake again next week so I'll keep my eyes peeled for fairies and suspicious looking muntjac! Lovely pictures by the way.

Graham's Photobook....Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer

Who is Graham Ettridge?

Graham Ettridge is an Englishman with a curious and wandering soul. Born in Shakespeare’s birthplace town of Stratford Upon Avon in England during the early 1970’s, Graham then grew up in the wonderful county of Wiltshire in England. From here, he has developed a true passion for travel and photography.

The Author's Statement

“It all started with “Oh my goodness! I’m in my late 20’s, I’m single and I have done nothing with my life”. The realisation that hit me like a freight train one spring morning in 2002. My period of procrastination had to come to an end. So, whilst supping a beer in my local pub with a friend, we decided to go on an adventure – and within a few days had arranged a trek through the Sinai desert in Egypt – That’s how it started, and as any avid traveller will know, once you catch the travel bug it never goes away, it just gets stronger. Each time you cross one destination off the top of your list, you add another two to the bottom. The desire to experience new cultures; the want to meet new people; the need to learn more about yourself….it’s all just a footstep away.

“My camera has provided good company during my travels, enabling me to capture some of the special moments that I have experienced. Part of my passion with photography is to take an unusual view of the things around me. To open my eyes wider and to absorb the wonders of nature, architecture, people and objects that very often we take for granted.

“I am a novice photographer, but have an ambition to develop and enhance my technique whilst still trying to hold on to my raw appreciation of life.”